Totnes School of Guitar Making, South Devon, England, UK Totnes School of Guitar Making, South Devon, England, UK Totnes School of Guitar Making, South Devon, England, UK
Guitar making course, Totnes, Devon

Course photos: May 2008

Instrument details: Paul Mckee - Steel string guitar

Construction

Paul has prepared a ring of rosewood for his soundhole decoration. The bordering strips have been glued in and the material between them excavated ready for the central ring.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Construction

The central ring is then glued in, gently tapped into place.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Construction

After thicknessing, the back has a central strip of spuce glued down to strengthen the join on the inside.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Construction

The front braces have been glued but not yet shaped. A bridge plate is also glued on the inside - this both protects the soft front from the ball ends of the string and also supports the area around theedge of the bridge, minimizing distortion.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Construction

Paul is here checking the fit of the bridge which is shaped to the curvature in the front.

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Construction

The neck is now started and is blocked up.

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Construction

Paul is bending the lacewood sides...

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Construction

...and checking progress against the template.

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Construction

The guitar is then assembled in the mould.

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Construction

The back is the fitted to the assembled neck, front and sides.

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Construction

Paul is gluing on the back with go bars.

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Construction

The binding channels have been cut and Paul is bending the rosewood bindings to shape.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Construction

Before removing the masking from the fingerboard the lacquer bridge between the tape and the neck must be sanded through.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Construction

The lacquer can then be flattened and burnished to a high gloss.

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Construction

The guitar is reassembled and ready to play.

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Construction

Paul's thistle headstock inlay very close up.

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Finishing

Paul's finished guitar.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Course photos: May 2008

Totnes School of Guitarmaking  Collins Road, Totnes, Devon, England, TQ9 5PJ  Phone: +44 (0)1803 865255
E-mail: info@totnesschoolofguitarmaking.co.uk   Facebook: